Operating mechanism for excavator buckets



, Feb. 1.7. 1925.

'LE ROY P. CLUTTER OPERATING MECHANISM FOR EXCAVATOR BUCKETS Filed Feb. 9, 1923 2 Sheets-$heet 1 WIT mess Feb. 17. 1925.

LE ROY P. CLUTTER OPERATING MECHANISM FOR EXCAVATOR BUCKETS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 9, 1923 INVENTOR. KW

ATTORNEY WITNESS Patented Feb. 17, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LE ROY I. CLUTTER, OF WASHINGTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

OPERATING MECHANISM FOR EXCAVATOR BUCKETS.

Application filed February 9, 1923. Serial No. 617,976.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, Ln Roy P. GLUTTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at \Vashington, in the county of WVashington and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Operating Mechanism for Excavator Buckets, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in operating mechanism for buckets of the ol-am, shell type adapted for use in connection with power excavators and loaders.

The primary objects of the invention are to provide an apparatus of'the class stated, which includes a pair of spaced rigid carriers vertically shiftable in the free end of the boom of the power apparatus and allowing the weight of the boom to be utilized to force the bucket member into the material to be conveyed, thereby assuring a full load at all times and in consequence expediting the work and reducing the cost of attending labor to a minimum; which will be easily and conveniently filled and dumped at any position; which provides novel means for vertically shifting the carriers in the boom end; which includes a bucket member pivotally connected to the carriers to allow its partial rotation thereby permitting of its adjustment to adapt itself to scoop up materials disposed in any manner.

Further important objects of this invention are to provide a device of the type stated, in a manner as hereinafter set forth,

which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable and efiicient in its use, substantial, compact and quick-acting and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment herein disclosed can be made without departing from the principle of the invention, which come within the scope of the claims hereunto appended. In the drawings forming a portion of this specification and wherein like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views Figure 1 is a side elevation of a bucket and operating mechanism for power excavators and loaders in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a front view thereof. FigureB is a top plan view of the guide block carried at the forward end of the boom.

Figured is a view on line IV IV, Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail perspective view of associated parts forming the attachment of the bucket with the carriers.

Figure 6 is a sectional side view of the bucket attachment elements.

Referring in detail to the drawing 1 and 2 denotes respective bucket members of the claim shell type, having the upper ends of adjoining side walls hingedly connected together by a transversely disposed shaft 8. Ahanger 4: is mounted on the shaft 3 and carries the pulley 5 rotatably mounted therein.

Each outer corner of the bucket members 1 and 2 is pivotally attached to a pair of hanger arms 6 and 7 by a common connecting pin 8. The hanger arms 6 at each side of the bucket members 1 and 2 have their upper converging ends pivotally connected to respective sides of the swivel block 9, on the integrally formed lateral projections 10. The block 9 is swivelly connected in the spacer 11 fixedly mounted between the lower s end of the carriers 12.

The hanger arms 7 are of a greater length than the hanger arms 6. The hanger arms 7 at each side of the bucket members 1 and 2 have their upper ends pivotally connected to respective sides of the transverse bar by means of the pins 1 1. The bar 13 extends through and is fixed in a vertically disposed arms 6 and 7, together with the clearance 16 provided for the latter, allow their movement to permit of the opening and closing of the bucket members 1 and 2, during the dumping and filling operations.

A guide block 17 is pivotally mounted as "at 17 adjacent to the forward end of the boom 18 and provides a guide for the carriers 12 extending therethrough. The carriers 12 are spaced relatively to. each other by the spacer 19, positioned between the up.- per end of the carriers 12.

A lock is pivotally connected, as at 21, to the rear end of the guide block 17 and carriers a pair of forwardly projecting latches 22, fixed to the lower end thereof. An angularly disposed and depending operating arm 23 is fixed to and counter-balances the lock 20 and its. disposition normally causes the lock 20 to swing forwardly by gravity against the carriers 12.

The inner edgesof the carriers 12' are formed with a plurality of notches 24:, which extend along the upper portion thereof, and a plurality of notches 25 are also formed on the inner edges of. the support 12 arranged along the lower portion thereof.

The. notches 24 are arranged in pairs, that is, a notch 24 on one of the carriers is transversely aligned with acorresponding notch 24 on the other of said carriers 12. The notches 25 atthe lower. portion of the carriers 12 aresimilarly positioned.

ltwill benoted that the notches 25have a straight upper wall and a curved lower wall, while the notches 2 1 are reversed hay.- ing a straight lower wall and a curved upper wall. This formation of the-notches 24 and 25 is provided to permitof' their proper engagement by the latches 22.carried by the lock 20.

When the boom. 18 is at the upper ends of. the carriers 12 the latches 22 will. be in engagement with. av pair-of the notches fat, and owing to their formation-the weight of the boom 18.may be applied to the car riers forcing the bucket members land 2 into the. material'to be colweyecl;

By manipulation of the line 26secured to the lower end of the operating. arm 231the latches are released from the: notches 24 and the bucket elevated to theboom 18.by the operation of the cable 27; After. the bucket has been elevated thelatches will automatically engage in a pair ofnotches 25, and maintain the bucket in suchelevated position while the latter is conveyed and dumped by the release of thecab1e27. After the dumping. operation thelatches 22 are released from the notches 25 byapull on the line 26, allowingthe vertical shifting of. the carriers in the guide block 17.

The bucket members 1 and2are actuated by the operation of the cable 27. The latter passes from its operating drum (not shown) over the sheave 28, rotatably mounted on the boom 18, around the pulley 5 and has its end secured, as at'29 tothe forward end of the boom 13.

The bucket members 1 and 2, due ,to their construction andhinged connection, normally shift to the open position, when the cable 27 is slacked. The bucket is filled by drawing the members 1 and 2 to the closed position, such closing operation being accomplished by winding the cable 27 upon its drum. The cable 27 is held taut until the bucket has been conveyed to the dumping position. Upon release of the cable 27 the bucket members 1 and 2 will automatically open and discharge the contents thereof.

During the filling operation the weight of the boom 18 may be thrown upon the bucket while the cable 27 is operating to draw-the members 1 and 2 to the closed position, thereby assuring a more nearly capacity load at all times. The pivotal con nections of the hanger arms 6 and 7 with the bucket permit of the partial rotation of the latter to allow for its adjustment to scoopup a full load regardless'of the position of materialsin which it is operating.

WhatI claim is 1. An operating mechanisnr for the clam shell type of excavator buckets comprising a bucket. carrier, meansfor swivelly connecting: a: bucket. therewith, said carrier I shiftahle. lengthwisein the outer end of the boomofthe excavator, said boom and carrier having'inter-engaging means for utiliz ing-the'weight of the boom on the bucket to facilitate the filling of the bucket, said inter-engaging means including. a shiftable member.

2; An. operating mechanism for the clam shelltype of. excavator buckets comprising a. bucket' carrier, means for swivelly con-v necting a bucket therewith at. two points thereof, said carrier shiftable lengthwise in the .-outer end of the boom of the excavator, said boom andcarrier having inter-engaging'means. for utilizing the. weight of the boomon the. bucket tofacilitate thev filling of the bucket, said inter-engaging means including; a shiftable member.

3; An;operating mechanism for the clam. shell" type ofexcavator buckets comprising a bucket. carrier, means for swivelly connecting abucket to the lower end and intermediatev the ends of. said carrier at two points thereof, said carrier shiftable length wise in the outer end of the boom of the. excavator, said-boom and-carrier having interengaging means for utilizing. the weight of theaboom on the: bucket to facilitate the fillingof the bucket, said inter-engaging means including a shiftable member.

at, An operating mechanism for the clam shelltvpe. of excavator buckets comprising a buz-ketcarrier; meansfor swivelly connecting-a.buckettherewith,.said carrier shiftable lengtlnviseintheend of the boom of the excavator, said boom. and carrier having inter-engaging-n-ieans for utilizing the weight of the booster) the bucket to facilitate the filling of the bucket, said inter-eugaging means including a shiftable member,

said member counter-balanced and an oper ating element for said member to selectively position the same with respect to the carrier.

5. An operating mechanism for the clam shell type of excavator buckets comprising a bucket carrier, means for swivelly connecting a bucket therewith at two points thereof, said carrier shiftable lengthwise in the end of the boom of the excavator, said boom and carrier having inter-engaging means for utilizing the weight of the boom on the bucket to facilitate the filling of the bucket, said inter-engaging means including a shiftable member, said member counter-balanced, and an operating element for said member to selectively position the same with respect to the carrier.

6. An operating inechanisn'l fortlie clam shell type of excavator buckets comprising a bucket carrier, means for swivelly connecting a bucket to the lower end and intermediate of the ends of said carrier at two points thereof, said carrier shiftable lengthwise in the end of the boom of the excavator, said boom and carrierhaving inter-engaging means for utilizing the weight of the boom on the bucket to facilitate the filling of the bucket, said inter-engaging means including a shiftable member, said member counter-balanced, and an operating element for said member to selectively position the same with respect to the carrier.

7. An operating-mechanism for the clam shell type of excavator buckets comprising a bucket carrier, four pairs of hanger arms adapted to be connected at their lower ends to the-bucket, the arms of two pairs being of less length than the arms of the other two pairs, superposed swivel elements for connecting said arms with said carrier, said :arrier shiftable lengthwise in the end of the boom of the excavator, said boom and carrier having inter-engaging means for utilizing the weight of the boom on the bucket to facilitate the filling of the bucket,

said inter-engaging means including a shift able member.

An operating mochanisn'i for the clam shell type of excavator buckets comprising a bucket carrier, four pairs of hanger arms ada 'ited to be connected at their lower (aids to the bucket, the arms of two pairs of being of less length than the arms of the other two pairs, superposed swivel elements for connecting said arms with said carrier, said carrier shiftable lengthwise in the end of the boom of the excavator, said boom and carrier having interengaging means for utilizing the weight of the boom on the bucket to facilitate the filling of thebucket, said inter-engaging means including a shiftable member, andan operating element for said member to selectively position the same with respect to the carrier.

9. An operating mechanism for the clam shell type of excavator buckets comprising a bucket carrier, four pairs of swivell'ed elements depending from said carrier for connecting a bucket therewith, two pairs of said elements extending above the other, said carrier shiftable lengthwise of the boom of the excavator, and means for positioning the carrier at different points with respect to the end of the boom for utilizingthe weight of the boom on the bucket to t'acili tate the filling thereof.

10. An operating mechanism for the clam shell type of exvacator buckets comprising a bucket carrier, four pairs of swivelled elements depending from said carrier for connecting a bucket therewith, two pairs of said elements extending above the other, said carrier shiftable lengthwise of the boom of the excavator, and means for positioning the carrier at different points with respect to the end of the boom for utilizing the weight of the boom on the bucket to facilitate the filling thereof, an operating element for said means for selectively positioning the same, and operating means for the boom.

11. An operating mechanism for the purpose set forth comprising a vertically disposed carrier shiftable lengtl'iwise in the outer end of the boom of the excavator, means for detachably connecting the boom to the carrier at different points throughoutthe length of the latter, superposed swivel-devices secured to the carrier, and two pairs of bucket hanger arms connected to each of said devices.

12. An operating mechanism for the purpose set forth comprising a vertically disposed carrier, shiftable lengthwise in the outer end of the boom of the excavator,

means foridetachably connecting the boom to the carrier at different points throughout the length of the latter, superposed swivel-devices secured to the carrier, and two pairs of bucket hanger arms connected to each of said devices, operating means for the boom, and means for elevating the carrier with respect to the boom.

13. An operating mechanism for the p111 pose set forth com n'ising a bucket, a car rier, hanger arms for the bucket, means for swivelly connecting said arms to the carrier, said carrier shiftable lengthwise in the outer end of the boom of the excavator, and means for connecting the boom to the carrier at different points with respect to the length of the latter.

14:. An operating mechanism for the purpose set forth comprising a bucket, a carrier, hanger arms for the bucket, means for swivelly connecting said arms to the carrier at its ends and intermediate its ends, said carrier shiftable lengthwise in the outer end of the booinof the excavator, and means for detachably connecting the boom to the carrier at different points with respect to the length of the latter.

1 5. An operating mechanism for the purpose set forth comprising a bucket, a carrier, hanger arms for the buck-ct, means for swivelly connecting said arms to the carrier, said carrier shif-table lengthwise in the boom of the excavator, and means for detachably connecting the boom to the carrier at different points with respect to the length of. the latter, operating means for said boom for transporting the bucket to and from dumping position, and an operating element for the means for det-achably connecting the boom with the carrier;

16. An operating mechanism for thepurpose set forth, comprising a, bucket, a carrier, hanger arms for the bucket, means for swivelly connecting said arms tothe carrier at its ends and intermediate ofv its ends, said carrier shiftable lengthwise in the boom of the excavator, and means for detachably connecting the boom to the carrier at different points with respect to the length of the latter, operating meansv for said boom for transporting the bucket. to and from (lumping position, and an operating element for the means for detachably connecting the boom with the carrier.

17 An operating mechanism for the purpose set forth comprising the combination with a scoop of the clam. shell type and a boom shifted carrier provided with a pair of superposed; swivel devices, of two pairs of hangerv arms extended upwardly from the scoop and connected toone of the said devices, andtwo pairsof hanger arms extended upwardly from the scoop. and connected to the other of said devices.

18. An operating mechanism for. the purpose set forth comprising a. vertically disposed shiftablecarrier provided with a swivel deviceat itslower endand aswivel device intermediate its ends, a scoop, two pairs of hanger arms extended. upwardly from thescoop and pivotally connectedto said lower swivel device and, two pairs of hanger arms extended upwardly from the scoop and pivotally connected to the upper swivel device.

19. An ope ating mechanism for the purpose set forth comprising a vertically disposed shiftable carrier having. one side thereof provided with two setsof superposed notches with the notches of each set arranged in transverse alignment withrespect to the carrier, a scoop suspension means.

depending from the carrier, said carrier shiftable lengthwiseof the boom and means. carried by the boomand engageable with the notchesof one set: for utilizing the weight of the boom to facilitate the filling oper ation of the scoop andengageable in the other set provided for maintaining the scoop 1 ear-74 in elevated position during the dumpingoperation.

20. An opera-ting mechanism for the purpose set forth comprising a vertically disposed shiftable carrier having one side thereof provided with two sets of superposed notches, with the notches of each set arranged in transverse alinement with respect to the carrier, the notches of one set being oppositely disposed with respect to the notches. of the other set, a scoop suspension means depending from the carrier, said carrier shi'ftable lengthwise of the boom, and means carried by the boom and engageablewith the notches of one set for utilizing the weight of the boom to facilitate the filling operation of the scoop and engageable in the other set for maintaining the scoop in the elevated position during-the dumpingoperation, an operating element for said means,and; means forshifting the boom.

21. An operating mechanism for. the purpose set forth comprisinga. vertically disposed. shiftable carrier having one side thereof provided with two sets of superposed notches with the notches. of each set arranged in transverse alinement with respect to the carrier, the notches of one set being oppositely disposed.witlrrespect to the notches of the otherset. a scoop suspension means depending-from the carrier, said carrier shiftable lengthwise of the boom, and means carriedby the boom and engageable with the notches of one set. for utilizing the weight of the boom to-facilitate the filling operation of the scoop and engageable in the other set for maintaining; the scoop in elevated position during the dumping operation,. and means connected with the scoop and boom for elevating the carrier.

22'. Anoperating mechanism for the purpose set: forth, comprisinga boom provided with a guide block, a carrier slidably carried in said guide block, a bucket suspended, from said carrier, and: means for holding said; carrier at different elevations with respect to said boom.

23, In an operating i'nechanism for buckets of. the clam shell. type, a. boom. a carrier, a. bucket, and means for holding said 'bucket in an upright position with respect to said carrier.

24:. Anoperating mechanism for the purpose set forth. comprising a bucket, a carrier, hanger arms for the bucket, means for connecting said arms to the carrier, said carrier shiftablelengthwise in the outer end of the boom .ofthe excavator, and means for connectinggthe boomto the carrier at different points with respect. to the length of the latter.

In testimony whereof. Iaflix my signature IJFLROY PI GLUTTER.

IJI 

